Display lantern



March 23 1926. T. H. CHAN DI sPLAY. LANTERN Filed July 24. 1924 2Sheets-Sheet l NN. Q NN @.1 mw uw m m Q I um QN mw H m, .N @Q

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i T. l-l.` CHAN Y DISPLAY LANTEHN Filed July 24. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Patented Mar. 23, 1926.

TAK I-I. CHAN, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DISPLAY LANTERN.

Application filed July 24, 19,24., serial No. 728,050.

To all lz2/'wm t may concer-n.' t

Be it known that I, TAK H. CHAN, a citizen of the Republic of China,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and Statev of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Display Lanterns, ofwhich the following is a specification.

-'I`his invention has to do generally with display devices andparticularly that type provided with means for rotating display objectsby air currents induced by heat emanating from a light source.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved device ofthe kind named which will intermittently present objects for view at aifixed location.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a display lanternsuitable for use separately or jointly as a display device and anornamental illuminating device.

A further object is to provide an attractive device of simpleconstruction which is inexpensive, strong and eiiicient in operation.

The full scope of the invention will become apparent as its generalapplicability is better understood, the invention consisting essentiallyin the manner of constructing, as-

sociating and organizing the parts hereinafter described, represented bythe drawings and pointed out in the appended claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed herein, but thisdisclosure is to be considered only as exemplifying the true inventionand is not to be taken as unnecessarily limiting the same.

In the drawings- Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of a display lanternembodying the invention;

Fig-2 is a vertical section through Fig. 1;

lfig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-A-3 of Fig. 2 showing thearrangement of the impeller and inner casing;

Fig. 4 is a section view on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2 showing thearrangement of the lamps and display objects;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the manner in which theinner cas` inc' is supported; and

f ig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the means for retainingthe bottom.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates a casingpreferably of polygonal cross section. The casing 1, hereafterdenominated the outer casing, is comprised of a frame 2 around which atranslucent cover 3 such as parchment or oil paper is'wrapped 'andsecured. At spaced intervals around the casing 1 observation openings 4'are provided. F rom cross frame members 5 which are detachably securedto bracket 6 on the frame 2 by bolts 7, a cylindrical translucent innercasing 8 is suspended.v Mounted within the inner casing 8 on crossmember 9 are lamps 10. `Inner casing 8 is of suciently smallerdimensions than outer casing 1 to leave a convenient passageway betweenthe walls of the two casings. A central spindle 11 is mounted inbearings 12 and 13. For the purpose of reducing friction, I have foundit advisable to use a needle type for the foot step bearing 13. Aradially disposed impeller disk 14 is secured to the shaft 11 above thelamps 10 and is provided with a plurality of vanes 15. It will be notedthat the outer casing 1, inner casing 8, shaft 11, and impeller disk 14are all concentrically disposed. Asupporting member 16 carried by theshaft 11 extends radially under and beyond the inner casing 8 and hasmounted thereon a rim 17 upon which a plurality of display objects 18are in turn mounted between the walls of the casing 1 and S so as to bevisible through observation openings 4. Top plate 19 is adapted to reston cross frame members 5 fitting snugly within the outer casing 1 and isprovided with a centralaperture 20. Bottom plate 21 is retained inposition by rod 22 having its ends removably seated in the sockets 23and 24, being held in the former by the stress of the spring 25. Bottomplate 21 is comprised of translucent material shielding from View theinterior mechanism of the device but permitting light to pass through.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing description that when thelamps 10 are burning they will illuminate the device and throw off heat,which in rising will induce a current of air upwardly through the innercasing 8, and which air current will act on the vanes 15 of impellerdisk 14, thereby causing the rotation of the shaft and display objects18 carried by supporting member 16 and ring 17.

The central aperture 2O in the top plate 19 may be reduced or enlargedfor the purpose of governing the air current induced upwardly throughthe inner casing 8 by heat from the lamp 10. If the aperture 20 isreduced in size, it retards the escape of heat and consequently reducesvthe speed" of the air current acting on the impeller disk 14 and slowsup the speed of the display ob'` jects 18. Similarly,theirispeedmay..befincreased by enlarging the aperture 20. The

effective size of the opening may be-reguflated by an ordinary registerplate 20a.

It is desirable for the'display objects 18A tor be visible in other thansilhouette as they rotate aroundthe inner casing 8. For this reasontherrear surface of vcute-r casing cover 3 is adapted to reflect lighton the front'of the display objects as they rotate. Th'eilluminationofthe display objects maybe accomplished by other methods andreflect-ing devices but I have found itsatisfactory to obtain thedesired illumination by reflecting light from the lamps 10 on to thedisplay objects from the rear surface of the outer casing cover 3.

For convenience in assembling, repairing and adjusting the lantern, and'for replacing lamps, I have found it handy to removably suspend innercasing 8 Within outer casing 1. This may be done by securing it to crossframe members 5 which are detachably secured to the frame 2. An.additional advantage in this construction is that interference by theinner casing with the rotation of the display objects is eliminatedandthe device is sufficiently rigid to. operate even though the shaft benot exactly vertical.

I have also found it advisable to provide a set screw 26 in U Vbracket27" on fcrossframe members 5, by which shaft 11 may-'be cen-` tered. Theset screw may also be used as a brake to regulate the speed at Which theshaft rotates and Whenput under sufficient tension may lock theshaftfrom turning.,

I claim:

1. In a device of the class-described, the combination with astationarytubular casing, of a rotatably mounted impeller posi-l tionedcrossvvise of the casing Within the length of the4 same at a pointvvhereit ,Will occupy substantially all of thepassage therethrough, objectsconnectediwith thefimpeller and adapted to travel around the outside .of

said casing, and means-fori producing an .upward draftzofair Within thecasing.;

2. Ina device of the class described, the combination with an interiorlyilluminated stationary tubular casing, of a rotatably mounted vimpellerpositioned crosswise ,of :the casing below the top thereof at a pointwhere it will occupy substantially all of thefpase sage through thesame, objects connected with the impeller and adapted to travel aroundthe outside of said casing, and means forproducing an upward draft ofair Within the casing.

3. In a device of the class describedpthe combinationwith a pair ofstationary case ings one of Which is disposed Within the other, ofmoving display objects adapted to travel between the Walls of saidcasings, and means Within the inner casing for imparting motion to thedisplay objects.

et. Inzaide-vicei` of the class described, the combination With a pairof stationary casings one of which is disposed Within the other, theouter one of which is provided Withfl observation openings, of movingdisplay objects adapted to travel between the Walls of said casingsvandvisible through said observation openings, and means Within the.inner casing for imparting motion to the display objects.

5; In a device. of the class described, the combination with a pair oftranslucentcasings, one of whichv is suspendedwithinpthe other, theouter one ofA which is provided with observation openings, of'movingdisplay objects adapted to rotate between the walls ofsaid'casings, andvisible through said observation openings, means for illuminating thecasings, a central spindle, means connecting said spindle and displayobjects, and means for rotating the spindle.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination with a pairoftranslucent casings, one'of which is suspendedyvithin the other, theVouter of which is provided with observation openings, of moving displayobjects -adapted to rotate between the Walls/'of said casings, means forilluminating the casings, a central spindle, means connecting saidspindle and display objects, and means for'rotating the spindlecomprising a vane securedthereto adapted to berotated by air currentsinduced by heat emanating from the illuminating means.

7.- In-afdevice of 'the class described, the combination with a pair oftranslucent cas ings, one of Whichis suspended Within the other, theouter ofvvhich is provided with observation openings, of moving displayobjects adapted to rotate between the Walls of said casings, means forilluminating the casings, a central spindle, means connectingsaidspindle and display objects,rv means for rotating the spindlecomprising avane secured thereto adapted to be rotated by air currentsinduced by heat emanating from the illuminating means, and means toYcontrol the aircurrents to regulate the speed of rotation..

8. In a device of the class described, the combination With a pair oftranslucentcasings, one of Which is suspended Within the other, theouter of which is provided with observation openings, of moving displayobjects adapted to rotate between the Walls of said casings, means forilluminating the casings, a central spindle, means connecting saidspindle and display objects, means for rotatingthe spindle comprising avane secured thereto adapted vto be rotated by air currents induced byheat emanating from the illuminating means, and friction braking meansacting on the spindle to regulate the speed of rotation.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination With a pair oftranslucent casings, one of which is suspended within the other, theouter of which is provided with observation openings, of moving displayobjects adapted to rotate between the walls of said casings, means forilluminating the casings, a central spindle, means connecting saidspindle and display objects, means for rotating the spindle comprisingavane se cured thereto adapted to be rotated by air currents induced byheat emanating from the illuminating means, the upper end of the spindlebeing interiorly coned, and a conical adjusting member seated therein'as a centering bearing and friction brake for the spindle.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination with an outer'casing having a plurality of spaced observation openings, of an innercasing suspended within said casing, moving display objects adapted torotate between the walls of the casings visible through said observationopenings, `means within the casings for illuminating the' same, acentrally mounted rotatable member, means extending under and beyond theinner casing connecting the moving display objects and rotatable member,and means for rotating said member by air currents induced by heat fromthe illuminating means.

ll. In a device vof the class described, the combination with a pair ofconcentrically disposed stationary casings, the outer of which isprovided with observation openings, of moving display objects adapted torotate between the walls of the casings and visible through saidobservation openings, illuminating ine-ans within the casings, meansassociated with the outer casing for illuminat-ing the display objects,a central spindle, and means carried by the spindle for supporting androtating the display objects.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination with an innerand outer casing, the outer casing being provided with observationopenings, of means for illuminating the casings, a central spindle,moving display objects connected to said spindle' and visible throughsaid observation openings, and means for rotating the spindle.

13. In a device of the class described, the

combination with an inner and outer casing,

the outer casing being provided With observation openings, of means forilluminating the casings, a central spindle, moving display objectsconnected to said spindle and visible through said observation openings,and means for rotating the spindle, said means comprising an impellersecured to the spindle.

14. In a device of the class described, the

combination with an inner and `outer casing,

the outer casing being provided with observation openings, of means forilluminating the casings, a central spindle, of moving display objectsconnected to lsaid spindle and visible through said observationopenings, and means for rotating the spindle, said means comprising animpeller secured to theV spindle and adapted to be rotated by aircurrents induced by heat emanating from the illuminating means.

l5. In a device of the class described, the combination with an innerand outer casing, the outer casing being provided with observationopenings, of means for illuminating the casings, a central spindle,moving di's play objects connected to said spindle and visiblethroughsaid observation openings, and means for rotating the spindle,said means comprising an impeller secured to the spindle above theilluminating means and adapted to be rotated by air currents induced byheat emanating from the illuminating means.

16. In a device of the class described, the combination with a pair ofconcentrically disposed translucent casings, the outer of which isprovided with observation openings, of moving display objects adapted torotate between the Walls of said casings and visible .through saidobservation openings, means within the casings for illuminating thesame, a central spindle, means extending outwardly from the spindlebelow the inner casing for supporting the display objects,4

means for rotating the spindle, said means comprising a vane mounted `onthe spindle within the inner casing above the illuminating means andadapted to be rotated by air currents induced by heat emanating from theilluminating means, and means for regulating the speed with which theshaft rotates.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name.

TAI( I-Ift CHAN.

